300 THE SHEEP OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



E.A. (yoUege Farm are, at the present time, the most prominent 

 prize taking exhibitors. 



The thin soil and wide range of the Cotswold hills are 

 particularly adapted for healthy sheep, and greater size is there 

 attained than elsewhere ; hence the lowlanders come to the hills 

 to renew their blood. The sheep are used not only in a pure 

 state, but as a cross on certain breeds. In this way they have 

 developed in parts of Southern Wales, Hereford, Monmouth, 

 &c. Some creditable specimens of Welsh-grown Cotswolds 

 were shown at the Eoyal Meeting at Cardiff, especially the 

 lengthy good ewes of Mr. Thomas Thomas, of St. Hilary, Cow- 

 bridge, and those of Mr. C. Spencer, of G-ileston, which took 

 second prize. Formerly the practice of having ram sales at the 

 farms was general, and, as these were arranged in succession, 

 and each breeder found it incumbent to put in an appearance at 

 his neighbour's gathering, much time was wasted; moreover, 

 the eating and drinking were often abused. Now a much 

 sounder practice prevails. A great portion of the rams are 

 brought to the fortnightly markets at Cirencester, and there 

 disposed of by auction. The first sale takes place in the 

 beginning of August, three auctioneers being often at work at 

 the same time. A few of the principal breeders still hold home 

 sales ; Mr. W. Game, of Aid worth, and Mr. William Lane, of 

 Broadfield, may be named as instances. The practice of letting, 

 so common amongst the Leicesters, is only followed in the case 

 of particular sheep, and to a very limited extent. They are 

 commonly sold out and out, and are at the purchaser's risk 

 from the fall of the hammer; but it is generally understood 

 that if a sheep proves useless another is lent. 



We now attempt a description of these sheep, with the 

 assistance of an illustration by Mr. Harrison Weir. They 

 present a complete contrast to the Leicesters, and, if they are 

 indebted to them for early maturity and tendency to feed, they 

 do not take after them in external form. The Cotswolds are 

 the largest breed of domesticated sheep in the world, and, 

 standing rather high upon the legs and having very grand 

 heads, they have a truly imposing appearance. The features 

 are either white, grey, or mottled. The former predominates, 

 but a little colour in no way detracts from appearance or 



